Martini Ranch stabbing suspect allowed to visit sick aunt

The man suspected of fatally stubbing another man in Scottsdale’s Martini Ranch got permission Tuesday to visit a sick aunt in New Hampshire, officials said.

Ian MacDonald, 26, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the Jan. 27 stabbing death of former Martini Ranch bouncer Tyrice Thompson, 27.

On Tuesday, Thompson’s relatives objected to MacDonald’s leaving the state.

Thompson died after a physical confrontation with MacDonald and his girlfriend, Samantha King, outside the downtown Scottsdale night club. The pair had been ejected.

MacDonald has posted $125,000 cash bond and is not in jail, said Jerry Cobb, spokesman for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

MacDonald is a flight risk because he admitted he stabbed Thompson and faces between 10 and 16 years flat prison time, Elizabeth Cottor, a Maricopa County deputy attorney, said in a motion filed with Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Brian Kaiser.

One of Thompson’s relatives asked the commissioner to deny the defendant’s travel request. Another submitted a request in writing, Cobb said.

MacDonald “and his girlfriend were the last ones seen with the victim before he was stabbed,” Cottor said in a motion. They had him pinned, and when he stumbled away, announced he had been stabbed, Cottor said.

Kaiser denied the prosecutor’s requests that MacDonald wear an electronic monitoring bracelet while away and provide medically-sourced proof that his aunt is sick, according to court records.

The commissioner ordered MacDonald to surrender his passport, Cobb said.

The request to travel comes on the heels of MacDonald violating previous release orders by living with Samantha King, a key witness, and continuing to drink, according to court papers.

At the time, MacDonald had posted $75,000 cash bond, which was increased to $125,000 after the violation, Cobb said.

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